Standing with the silver maple

   A story caught my attention tonight on our local Akron news about an ongoing struggle between electric giant FirstEnergy and local home owners. This particular story involves Mary Martha Corrigan who has a silver maple that FirstEnergy wants to cut down because they say it is too close to power lines. In the past they simply trimmed the tree, but after the blackout last year they are taking no chances.
   I haven't seen this tree myself so I can't reliably comment on who is exactly right here. From what I've read and seen, simply trimming the tree would seem to be a compromise for both sides. The interesting thing was the interview with Ms. Corrigan who is taking First Energy to court over the matter. Even though she is fighting an uphill battle against a huge company, she says that she needs to stand up against what she feels is wrong-doing by a corporation. She spoke very intelligently about the issue, and has courage and conviction to stand up for her beliefs. More power to her, and I wish her the best of luck. Whether she wins or not, she is making a statement that not everyone will simply lie down when corporate giants want their way. Good for her! I wish more people were willing and able to do what she's doing.
(sources: Akron, Ohio, residents fight utility FirstEnergy over trees, PAX 23 10pm newscast, August 30, 2004)